Suffering from chronic bad breath? Gum disease may be the culprit
Bad breath is something everyone deals with once in awhile, especially after eating typical culprits like garlic and onions. If you find that foul-smelling breath is becoming a regular problem, then it is time to consider something more serious than mouthwash. If you are suffering from chronic bad breath, there is a possibility you may have gum disease. Here’s what you need to know.
How does gum disease cause chronic bad breath
- The problem become noticeable with a little blood on your toothbrush or dental floss. While it can be easy to ignore or rationalize, unfortunately, bleeding gums are very often the result of a build-up of plaque beneath your gum line.
- When plaque is not properly removed, it becomes an irritant that can infect your gums and lead to gingivitis, the first stage of gum disease. Gingivitis does not go away without treatment, and as it progresses to a more advanced stage known as periodontitis.
- Left untreated, gum disease causes your gums to begin to pull away from your teeth. Pockets filled with infection begin to form in the spaces between your teeth, causing chronic bad breath, more bleeding and increased inflammation. If left untreated, it can cause your teeth to fall.
Gum disease can be treated by your Westminster dentist
Gingivitis is very treatable, especially in the earliest stages when you first notice some tenderness and bleeding. The longer it is allowed to progress, however, the more difficult it is to treat. Here are some of the latest methods for treating gum disease, including:
- Bacterial testing is a method of determining your genetic susceptibility to gum disease. Understanding this can help to prevent gingivitis.
- Full mouth disinfection to help destroy the infection
- Scaling and planing to remove the build-up of plaque
- Laser therapy to instantly kill bacteria and remove diseased tissue
- Antibiotics to destroy the infection
- Perio Protect, an at-home anti-bacterial treatment to combat gum disease
What should you do if you think you have gum disease?
Schedule an appointment with Westminster dentist Dr Imm today. The sooner you start treatment, the sooner you’ll get back to healthy gums, improved oral health and a beautiful smile.
